Introduction
Mobile apps can propel an e-commerce site by quantum leaps. But this might be jeopardized by the lack of concrete costing for e-commerce mobile app development. Retailers looking to branch out into e-commerce need to harness the power of mobile apps in a cost-effective and expedient way.
Today, more than ever, consumers tend to increasingly look to what mobile applications can offer them. Shopping on the go with access to a wide range of options to choose from is a great enticement which e-commerce sites can provide to their customers via mobile apps in order to boost patronage. Other more obvious benefits are discussed below.
The Advantages of Running a Mobile App for E-Commerce
High Utility
Mobile phones are a powerful tool that makes daily tasks easier, in all fields. A splendid e-commerce mobile app development facilitates robust interactions between the clients and the company.
Company-Owned Marketing Channel
Since apps are downloaded specifically to be used, marketing messages channeled through these apps are apt to receive better response than those sent via other marketing channels such as email. E-commerce sites can stimulate greater customer loyalty by sending out offers and discounts to app users via push notifications.
Data Collection Apparatus
Businesses can gather useful data for determining consumer behavior from the apps to offer personalized promotions.
A Means to Bolster Brand-Awareness
Businesses can expand their brand visibility by using apps in ways not possible in other avenues. With stylish and intuitive apps that deliver personalized promotional messages, businesses can easily connect with their clients on a deeper level.
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The Criteria that Determines the Cost of an E-Commerce Development App
The Platform
Different app platforms such as Android, iOS, etc. give access to different combinations of demographic variables. The choice of the platform should be determined by the target audience. The choice of the platform also depends on the type of app. There are three main types: native apps, web-based apps, and hybrid apps.
The choice of the app type determines the content and the framework of the app. Native apps can be directly installed and worked on without any network connection; web-based apps can only run on devices with an active internet connection, and hybrid apps contain both native and web-based app attributes.
Among these three, native apps are the most expensive as well as the most superior in terms of functionalities. To get guaranteed maximum utility, which maximizes the sales potential of the app, it’s advisable to use native apps for e-commerce developments.
The Functionality
The second primary determinant of e-commerce mobile app development costs is the functionalities. Functionalities revolve around the coding and technical specifications.
App Design
The app design makes for visual appeal. On average the cost of design for an app ranges between $2,000 and $30,000.
The design cost covers costs for screen design, app icon design, etc. The design cost also depends on the choice of platform, as well as the type of app. Native apps are the most expensive to design, and hybrids are the least expensive. In terms of platforms, iOS apps are the most expensive to design.
Related Article: What is the Role of Mobile Development to the Internet of Things?
The Cost of Creating an E-Commerce Mobile App Development
As noted earlier, a native app is the most useful type of app for e-commerce developments. What follows is a rundown of the various aspects of cost for a mobile app development for e-commerce:
Wireframe
The wireframe is the aspect of an app which must be implemented first. It is the visual architecture that maps out the app layout, including the physical makeup, the arrangement of pages, etc. Normally multiple wireframes are drafted for a mobile app development project, and the final wireframe is then selected from the collection.
The cost of wireframes depends on the complexity of the app development and the number of pages. Wireframes for apps with 2-3 pages cost less than $500, and those for apps with more than 3 pages may cost up to $1,500 depending on the number of pages.
Design Cost
The next phase of app creation centers on the app’s aesthetics. Users are more apt to use apps with appealing designs. This aspect of the e-commerce app creation has to be adequately funded to maximize the rate of usage.
Since the design has numerous elements, it’s crucial to undertake creation with attention to the fine details. For instance, Android e-commerce application developments must be fine-tuned to the Play Store design guidelines. As far as app designs go, there are no one-size-fits-all patterns.
The cost of design for apps also depends on the flexibility and the versatility of the design. The greater the number of versions of an operating system which the design is compatible with, the greater the design cost. All in all, the average cost of an app design falls between $2,000 and $35,000.
Development Cost
This is the aspect in which the coding takes effect. The cost of app development might be primarily determined by the number of programmers who undertake the coding. Another key determinant of app development cost is the range of functionalities. So also is the type of app, with native apps incurring the highest cost of development among the three.
Depending on how all these parameters are combined, an app development may cost between $1,000 and $100,000. After the implementation of the development phase, it’s important to carry out a comprehensive quality analysis to test for bugs and defects in the development. The cost of this analysis is primarily determined by the type of app as well as the range of functionalities. The analysis can cost between $20,000 and $30,000.
Additional Costs
These can come in the form of:
- The cost of a platform’s software license
- Equipment costs
- Cost of social media integration
- Database and server cost
- App store charges
- Update costs
- Live support cost
- Marketing and advertising costs, etc.
On average, each of these parameters can cost between $500 and $2,000.
Conclusion
On average, the total cost of an e-commerce app development ranges between $30,000 and $170,000. As noted earlier, the level of complexity in the development, the versatility of its design, as well as the type of app, are the key determinants of an app development cost.
Depending on the billing method, the time it takes to develop an e-commerce app can also have an impact on the cost. Android apps are known to take the longest time to develop when compared to the time it takes to develop those of other platforms. This disparity has been famously dubbed the Android tax.
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